UUCP Mission Statement

"We believe in God, a just, helpful and caring community. We affirm to promote the welfare of the environment and support for a just and economic, social and spiritual connection that will lead to build an open mind for a holistic life. We affirm to uphold an equal and peaceful relationship to every person and to every religion because we are here as one big family."

Partner Church Opportunities in the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands that stretch over 1,000 miles from the north to the south. It is divided into 3 geographical areas: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Manila is located on the northernmost island of Luzon. Negros Island, where the majority of the UU churches are located, is the fourth largest island in the archipelago; it is part of the Visayas. Mindanao is the southernmost island in the Philippines.

There are 29 UU churches in the Philippines that belong to the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines (UUCP). The UU churches are widely distributed in Negros Island but also include a new UU church in Bicutan, Western Taguig, Metro Manila. To read more about the structure of the UUCP click here. To read more about the cultural beliefs click here.

Rev. Toribio S. Quimada, Lay Minister of the Iglesia Universal de Cristo, founded the UUCP. A self-educated Pentecostal Minister and traditional farmer, Rev. Quimada, preached that God is love and because of that love salvation is a gift to all. With a deep-seated need to have religious education materials for his congregations in Negros Occidental, Rev. Quimada contacted the Universalist Church in America. He requested the UCA to send missionaries to the Philippines to proclaim his newly-found faith and plant churches. Instead of sending missionaries over, the UCA provided moral support to Rev. Quimada in organizing the Universalist Church of the Philippines in April 25, 1955, and in 1985, it became the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines, Inc duly recognized by the Philippine Government.

The lush islands are characterized by irregular shorelines, alluvial plains, mountainous interiors, rolling hills and narrow valleys. The Philippines have a tropical climate with relatively abundant rainfall, high humidity and normally gentle winds. The climate is good for farming but poor access to available water and the “indentured servant-like” conditions for farmers who do not own their own land create conditions that keep many of the Philippine UUs in severe poverty. In spite of economic conditions, these are warm-hearted people who welcome visitors with open arms. They are eager to share religious traditions and learn about ours.

Four of the churches in the Philippines are ready for partnership now and would dearly love to develop a Partner Church relationship with a North American congregation. Most of these churches have held this hope for years.

Please read about these churches here and consider a transformative partnership for your congregation.